Can I Lose Weight Cycling?

Can I Lose Weight Cycling vs. Can I Lose Weight NOT Cycling

If you really want to lose weight, the best thing to do is change what you are doing to gain weight. When I worked at a desk, I not only had trouble losing weight, I had trouble getting away from my desk!

So, if you are not:

Cycling

Running

Walking

Jogging

Smimming

Working Out

Or Being Active

Then, yes you can lose weight cycling! However, there is more to it than that.

I have a client that at one time in his life worked at a cycling shop. He would tell me stories of people who would come in and upgrade their bikes to shave off a gram or two so their bike would be lighter. They would spend all this money to shave off a gram or two when, by looking at them, you could tell they needed to lose 20 pounds.

Now, that may sound terrible, but it is the ugly truth behind weight loss. People are always looking for that magic pill or trading dollars without hard work.

How Can I Lose Weight Cycling?

Work!

Hard Work!

Dedication

and Accountability

Cycling is one of the best cardiovascular activities you can do that is nice to your joints. That is why so many people start cycling in their 40s and 50s or give up running and buy a bike.

Can I Lose Weight Cycling Only?

You can lose weight just by getting on the bike, but you can advance your weight loss progress by adding some strength training. It doesnt’ have to be going to a gym and you can pick some great at home workout programs like my #1 Home Workout Program.

I have been cycling ever since I was 15 years old. For some reason I fell in love with it and started doing 100 mile tours at a young age. However, last year I picked the bike up again after a 25 year break. Once I got my drivers license at age 16, my bike began to collect dust.

Once I turned 40, I needed a cardio activity that was easy on the knees, and good on the body.

Cycling was it!

In 2014 I did my first tour since I was 15! I was amazed. Not of the awesome rocky mountain views on the tour, or how many people were on the ride. No, I was amazed to find so many people that were trying to lose weight cycling, by only cycling!

My Cycling Weight Loss Calendar

As I mentioned, to lose weight cycling, you have to do more than just cycling.

You need to add strength training!

Why? If you cycle everyday and are new to exercise, you will lose weight in the beginning. But, overtime the weight you will burn will be muscle, which is the wrong kind of weight loss.

To lose the proper weight you want to:

Burn Fat

Build Muscle

Use the Bike for your Cardio

Here is great calendar to burn fat:

Monday and Thursday => 30 to 60 minutes of Strength Training

Tuesday and Saturday => 60 to 90 minutes of Cycling

If you are limited on time, do shorter rides during the week and a long ride on the weekend. But, and I mean BUT…don’t skip your strength days! That will help you burn fat longer and when you get on the bike you will be burning fat instead of muscle.

Conclusion

How can I lose weight cycling? Strength training mixed with cycling will help you maximize you fat loss from your fat stores…not your muscle! Cycling is easy on your joints which promotes long term success.

Go down to your local bike shop and find out some up coming rides. Train for a 30 mile bike ride, which is like running a 5 k. That will be a great goal to start with and give you some awesome motivation.

I hope this helped! Now get on your bike, do some strength training, and start losing weight cycling!